Weather Vault: September 2013

Published 09/04 2013 04:45PM

Updated 05/25 2016 05:09PM

Posted: 7:00 AM 10/1/13

September got off to a warm start with temperatures around 90 on Sunday, the first. However, the 2nd, which was Labor day, brought cooler weather with highs only in the 70s. Lower to middle 80s were around for the 4th and 5th with plenty of sunshine and no rain. However, another warming trend put Friday, the 6th, and Saturday back around 90 for highs with still no rain.

Saturday evening did bring a a few showers and thunderstorms, but they were very isolated, and did very little to push off the drought the area was now in. While we were a bit cooler to start Sunday, the heat was back by Monday with highs in the middle 90s. Temperatures was also in the middle 90s for Tuesday and Wednesday with a few record breakers on Tuesday. Wednesday evening brought a few storms, but once again, there weren't any drought busters. Thursday morning also has some lingering showers, but nothing to cause much concern.

After that, temperatures went into a very short free-fall. Thursday, the 12th, had highs int he lower to middle 80s with a partly cloudy afternoon. Friday started in the lower to middle 50s and ended up in the lower 70s. The middle 40s were around for Saturday morning, with the afternoon warming into the middle 70s. Sunday we started to see temperatures warm back up and we got to 80 in a few places. The evening of Sunday, the 15th, did end up seeing a few showers and storms, but no drought busters.

The following week started off with a cloudy and cool Monday, the 16th and was followed up by a sunny and mild Tuesday. While rain was in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, very little was actually seen. Friday saw near record breaking temperatures with highs in the lower to middle 90s! As the cold front drove into the area Friday morning, only a few thunderstorms were around, keeping the drought around. Most places only reported a weak 0.25" or less.

The following weekend of the 21st and 22nd was very pleasant with plenty of sunshine. Highs were in the lower 70s and morning lows were in the middle 40s generally. That kind of sunny and mild weather lasted into Monday and Tuesday as well before light rain arrived for Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. However, the rain was very light and isolated, making no impact on our drought. After that the 80s made a return with Thursday, Friday and Saturday having plenty of sunshine.

Our last chance for rain in September was Saturday (the 28th) evening through Sunday morning. We saw about 0.5" of rainfall across the area, but central Illinois remained in a drought. The 29th and 30th were both sunny and warm days, which was fitting to end the month.

State Numbers It wasn't just central Illinois that was dry, but the whole state lacked rainfall. The statewide precipitation was 1.87", which is 1.39" below the average. This make this the 14th driest September on record. Many places in central Illinois recieved less than 1" of precipitation. The July - September period ended as the 6th driest on record.

Temperatures were 2.9 degrees above average at 68.8 degrees. That's warm, but not record setting.

National Numbers The United State had an average temperature of 67.3 degrees F, which is 2.5 degrees above the 20th century average, making this the 6th warmest September on record. Rainfall was averaged at 2.99", 0.51" above the average, tying 2004 as the 12th wettest September on record. This was helped in a big way by flooding rains in Colorado in the middle of the month.